Americans are becoming less active.

Over the past decade, the prevalence of physical inactivity has remained “unacceptably high,” according to a study in The American Journal of Medicine, despite continued efforts to improve fitness at individual and population levels.

A new Center for Disease Control and Prevention report finds that more than 85% of U.S. adults 65 and older are not getting enough exercise. All adults should get moderate aerobic activity and weight or resistance training every week. Nearly 1 in 4 American adults are not getting the suggested two days of muscle training and 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.

Guidelines and recommendations

According to a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, part of the problem could be that only 1 in 10 adults know how much and what kinds of exercise they should be getting to stave off disease and other health ailments.

Guidelines by the CDC recommend “regular physical activity,” encompassing more than just fitness and exercise. It also includes sports and other physical activities that move your body and expend energy. Physical activity can even include active transportation like walking to work or gardening.

Routine physical activity has more advantages for your health and well-being than just preventing weight gain. Regular movement makes your bones stronger and your cognitive abilities sharper, helps you sleep more soundly and feel less anxious, and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

Some takeaways

Physical activity can improve health and quality of life. Physical activity:• Helps prevent or manage many chronic health conditions.• Can reduce the risk of moderate or severe functional limitations.• Reduces the risk of premature death.• Supports positive mental health.

In addition government policies can help change the infrastructure, environments, and resources that support a more active population.

As we enter this holiday season and approach the end of 2024 let’s make the pledge to proactively focus on becoming more physically active. The benefits of this life approach can reap positive benefits through pursuing a more active lifestyle with the real potential for an improved quality of life. So, let’s get serious about resolving to move more as we approach the New Year.

Additional Information/Resources

Check out the following report for information on recommendations for physical activity at odphp.health.gov.

Some recommendation and tips for adults on the basic tenets of physical activity including its benefits with a focus on those 65 and older is at cdc.gov.

Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D. has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 38 years and completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University. He can be reached at marqos69@hotmil.com.